19.NOV.10

Editor: If you want to learn the skills of negativity and pessimism, then the person to consult is the leader of the N.D.P, Mr. Arnhim Eustace. His Independence message 2010, carried in the Searchlight Newspaper dated Friday, October 22nd, 2010, under the heading “Arnhim: We have precious little to celebrate” is rather pathetic.{{more}}

It was such a ridiculous piece of writing that I shall not waste precious time and ink to repeat some of the things he wrote. Instead, I shall spend my time highlighting some of the many achievements of this country and the government as we celebrate our 31st anniversary of Independence.

When one considers that the people over the Dry River are now able to move up and down this country not fearing the overflowing waters because of the building of the Rabbacca Bridge, one must admit that there is precious much to celebrate.

After the NDP of which Mr. Eustace is a part gave the library away and placed us in a cubby hole downtown and now we have a state of the art National Public Library soon to be opened, we certainly have precious much to celebrate.

All children now have a chance to attend secondary school as a result of the Education Revolution, the adult population, particularly those who were unable to read and write are now able to use these skills effectively due to the successful implementation of the Adult Literacy Programme, and there is now access to early childhood education. No one can deny that these achievements are to be celebrated.

After the bad mouthing and degrading of the West St George Secondary School, it is now a household name in St Vincent and the Grenadines. For a school that took in the “so called failures” despite the challenges, they are doing well. For the past two years they wrote the CSEC/CXC exams, they recorded pass rates of 59 and 54 percent in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Congratulations are in order for the principal and staff. They are now awaiting the completion of the most expensive secondary school to be constructed in this blessed land. This is just one example of the Education Revolution success. And, Yes, Mr. Eustace, for the people of West St George and the country as a whole, this is precious much to celebrate.

How could Mr. Eustace and the NDP forget the construction of the jet port in Canouan, the building of an international airport at Argyle, the Lives to Live programme, the construction of the resource centres and polyclinics, the no income and low income houses for Vincentians, the home help for the elderly? The list can go on and on. There is precious much to celebrate.

Mr. Eustace has been so negative it is not funny. He couldn’t even mention in his independence message one positive thing he and his party have accomplished. He needs to come out of that mind set. One can only inspire others to be positive and optimistic if he/she is positive and optimistic. This country needs strong, bold, positive leaders and leadership, and Mr. Eustace at this time is far below the standard.

Congratulations are in order to all the hard working people who worked tirelessly to help to bring relief and comfort to the many of us who were affected by hurricane Tomas. You have done and are still doing a fantastic job. We are a resilient people, and with Gods’ help we will bounce back.

O.C.Robinson